Low profile copper and fiber optic cassettes

Abstract

A multi-port or multi-outlet cassette that may be configured as a low profile, high-density cassette. Selected embodiments include a bezel member having a projection positioned between each adjacent pair of outlets to help reduce crosstalk. A releasable latch mechanism may be included that is configured to selectively latch and unlatch the cassette to a patch panel. Embodiments configured for use with fiber optic cables may include a movable connector member. A cable connector may be mounted to the movable connector member to move therewith as a unit. Moving the movable connector member determines an angle of the cable connector relative to the panel. Angles may be selected to reduce stress on a cable connected to the cable connector. In particular, it may be desirable to position the cable connector such that it is orthogonal to the panel.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A patch panel for use with a rack and a cassette, the rack comprising a first upright member spaced apart from a second upright member, the cassette comprising a plurality of communication connectors and at least one tab, the patch panel comprising:
 an intermediate portion; 
 a first angled portion extending outwardly from the intermediate portion, the first angled portion being mountable to the first upright member, the first angled portion comprising a first plurality of patching areas each configured to receive the cassette, each of the first plurality of patching areas comprising at least one first flange having an aperture configured to receive the at least one tab of the cassette; and 
 a second angled portion extending outwardly from the intermediate portion, the second angled portion being mountable to the second upright member, the second angled portion comprising a second plurality of patching areas each configured to receive the cassette, each of the second plurality of patching areas comprising at least one second flange having an aperture configured to receive the at least one tab of the cassette. 
 
     
     
       2. The patch panel of  claim 1 , wherein each of the first plurality of patching areas comprises a first plurality of openings configured to provide access to the plurality of communication connectors of the cassette, and
 each of the second plurality of patching areas comprising a second plurality of openings configured to provide access to the plurality of communication connectors of the cassette. 
 
     
     
       3. The patch panel of  claim 1 , wherein the patch panel is mountable to the rack within one rack unit. 
     
     
       4. The patch panel of  claim 3 , wherein the first and second pluralities of patching areas each comprise four patching areas. 
     
     
       5. The patch panel of  claim 1 , wherein the patch panel is mountable to the rack with three like patch panels within four rack units. 
     
     
       6. The patch panel of  claim 5 , wherein the first and second pluralities of patching areas each comprise sixteen patching areas. 
     
     
       7. The patch panel of  claim 1 , wherein the intermediate portion is positioned outwardly from the rack by the first and second angled portions. 
     
     
       8. The patch panel of  claim 1  for use with the cassette being a first cassette, each of the plurality of communication connectors being a copper wire connector, and a second cassette comprising a plurality of fiber optic connectors, wherein the first plurality of patching areas are each configured to receive the second cassette; and
 the second plurality of patching areas are each configured to receive the second cassette. 
 
     
     
       9. The patch panel of  claim 8 , wherein the second cassette is mountable to a selected one of the first plurality of patching areas when the first cassette is mounted to an adjacent one of the first plurality of patching areas. 
     
     
       10. The patch panel of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one first flange comprises third and fourth flanges that are spaced apart vertically such that the cassette is positionable between the third and fourth flanges, and
 the at least one second flange comprises fifth and sixth flanges that are spaced apart vertically such that the cassette is positionable between the fifth and sixth flanges. 
 
     
     
       11. The patch panel of  claim 10  for use with the cassette comprising a plurality of outwardly projecting flanges, wherein the patch panel further comprises:
 a first support comprising a first slot configured to slidably receive a first one of the plurality of outwardly projecting flanges; and 
 a second support spaced apart horizontally from the first support such that the cassette is positionable between the first and second supports, the second support comprising a second slot configured to slidably receive a second one of the plurality of outwardly projecting flanges. 
 
     
     
       12. The patch panel of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a blank configured to be removably attachable to each of the first plurality of patching areas, the blank comprising at least one tab configured to be received by the aperture of the at least one first flange of each of the first plurality of patching areas. 
 
     
     
       13. The patch panel of  claim 12 , wherein the at least one first flange comprises third and fourth flanges that are spaced apart vertically such that the blank is positionable between the third and fourth flanges, and
 the blank comprises a wall configured to at least partially fill a space defined between the third and fourth flanges of each of the first plurality of patching areas. 
 
     
     
       14. The patch panel of  claim 13 , wherein each of the first plurality of patching areas comprises a plurality of openings configured to provide access to the plurality of communication connectors of the cassette, and
 the wall of the blank closes each of the plurality of openings. 
 
     
     
       15. The patch panel of  claim 12 , wherein the blank comprises a plurality of outwardly projecting flanges, and the patch panel further comprises:
 a first support comprising a first slot configured to slidably receive a first one of the plurality of outwardly projecting flanges; and 
 a second support spaced apart horizontally from the first support such that the blank is positionable between the first and second supports, the second support comprising a second slot configured to slidably receive a second one of the plurality of outwardly projecting flanges. 
 
     
     
       16. The patch panel of  claim 12 , wherein the blank is mountable to a selected one of the first plurality of patching areas when the cassette is mounted to an adjacent one of the first plurality of patching areas. 
     
     
       17. The patch panel of  claim 12 , wherein the at least one tab of the black comprises a first tab spaced apart from a second tab,
 the aperture of the at least one first flange is a first aperture, 
 the at least one first flange comprises a second aperture, and 
 the first and second tabs are configured to be received by the first and second apertures, respectively, of the at least one first flange of each of the first plurality of patching areas. 
 
     
     
       18. The patch panel of  claim 17 , wherein the blank comprises first and second fingers, and
 the first and second tabs are positioned on the first and second fingers, respectively. 
 
     
     
       19. The patch panel of  claim 1  for use with the cassette being a first cassette, each of the plurality of communication connectors being a copper wire connector, and a second cassette comprising a plurality of fiber optic connectors, wherein the second cassette is mountable to a selected one of the first plurality of patching areas when the first cassette is mounted to an adjacent one of the first plurality of patching areas, and
 the patch panel further comprises a blank configured to be removably attachable to a different adjacent one of the first plurality of patching areas, the blank at least partially filling the different adjacent patching area.